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12/23/2013

This year, the amazing Aisling from Total Make Up Addict organised a Secret Santa, between Irish beauty bloggers! I jumped at the chance - We all love getting presents, plus I loved trying to get as many nice products as possible, for €20. I think one thing all the posts today highlighted is the amount of fabulous beauty products that don't cost a fortune.

I received Nora from Too Many Muffins, and decided to pick up a few products in Germany that she hopefully hadn't tried before! She tweeted me today to let me know that her post was up - You can check it out here! And last Saturday (after a VERY long trip home!) I finally found out who had received me - It was Sarah, of Beauty with Brushes! I was so excited to open her present & I definitely wasn't disappointed - She picked out lovely gifts for me, & I can't wait to use them!

Even the wrapping paper excited me.. It's so Christmassy!

Just LOOK at how much stuff Sarah managed to pick up for €20! Beyond delighted.

First up, everything came in this deadly make up bag! I'm forever meaning to pick up bags/cases for when I'm travelling, for make up, jewelry, etc so it's perfect! I've also managed to 'lose' all my fluffy socks.. (Pretty sure they could be in my sister's drawers), so my feet are currently snug in these reindeer socks!

Who doesn't love a bit of Soap & Glory? I usually buy their big set in Boots at Christmas, but decided not to this year, because I'm only bringing hand luggage back with me, so can't bring much liquid. Sarah picked up 3 travel size products for me, so I'll be bringing Hand Food, Clean On Me shower gel & The Righteous Butter body lotion back with me!

I was thrilled to see the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge - Their Expert Face brush is one of my favourite brushes for applying foundation, & I've heard rave reviews about it!

Next was an NYC eyeshadow, in the shade 'Bazaar'. This is a nice warm brown, I'm thinking it could actually be ideal for filling in my eyebrows now that I've dyed them!

Sticking with eyeshadow, I also got the Catrice Absolute Nude Eyeshadow Palette. I'm obsessed with nude shadows, I'm one of those people who has the Naked palette & every spin off of it so I'm delighted to have a mini palette, perfect for popping in my bag!

Also from NYC was this Blushable Creme Stick, in Big Apple Blush. I only started using cream products last summer, so I'm delighted to add to my collection!

On top is the Absolute Nude palette, then the Blushable Creme Stick & NYC single shadow.

I'm overwhelmed at how generous Sarah was, & how much I love the products. Secret Santas can always be a bit dodgy, but I know I'll use all these! I've been loving all the posts by the other bloggers too, so make sure to check out their posts, which can be found by searching #irishbbloggersSS on Twitter. A big, big thank you to Aisling - I loved the experience!

12/12/2013

I so rarely post about foundation that I can barely remember how to talk about it! Haha, when I was last at home, I picked up another bottle of Revlon Colourstay foundation, because I can't find it in Germany. But while running through Boots, I also saw that they had 3 for 2 on 17 make-up, & they had a new foundation. While I had never tried any make up by 17 before, I threw caution to the winds & picked it up after seeing how pale it was!

The packaging isn't great - Plastic, but it has a pump, & can

be 'locked' to prevent any accidents in your make up bag!

Stay Time foundation is described as being a full coverage foundation that delivers a flawless smooth skin finish that lasts for 25 hours. Full coverage? Definitely true. My skin can be quite uneven in tone, & very red (Perks of being a natural ginger!) but this covered everything - I literally look like I don't know what a freckle is. While I prefer natural skin & only go for full coverage when I'm going out, or my skin is VERY blotchy, I want to know I can rely on it to cover all the bleurgh on my face!

No make up - Just foundation

Then again, that's zero use if it won't last. I can't say I leave foundation on for 25 hours, but it definitely takes its time fading. I happily go without primer, concealer & powder some days, and other than a bit of redness around my nose, it's all good! The finish is satin, so combined with the thickness of the product, it can clingy to dry patches a bit. My skin is combination - Dehydrated, with a bit of an oily T-Zone, & dry flakiness when I get spots. So other than the occasional dry patches, it worked well on my skin! I applied it with my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, & usually use a pump & a half.

The clincher - Just foundation applied to the left side of my face!

It's crazy how different my skin looks.

And the big bonus - It was pale enough for me. Not only that, but I got the second palest shade, Soft Ivory. It's available in six shades, all of which are pretty pale so it won't suit everyone. The other bonus is the price. Usually budget foundations are orange & weird on me, but for €4.79, this ticks all my boxes. I mean, I thought my Revlon Colorstay was a bargain but this is ridiculously cheap! It contains the standard 30ml & has SPF 25. 17 is available in Boots & online.
I've also managed to convert my little sister & best friend to this foundation... I'm going to spread the love!

12/08/2013

It's only a week until I get home for Christmas... A WEEK! So I am in a festive spirit, especially after visiting Christmas markets, etc. & I wanted to do this Christmas tag, from Sian's blog.

What's your favourite Christmas Movie?

Ooooh, I think it might be The Santa Clause. It's one of the films I remember watching & loving when I was younger & I still loving watching it! (And weirdly, I even like the sequel.) Honourable mentions go to Home Alone, The Grinch & The Holiday.

Do you stay in your PJ's or get dressed on Christmas?

We always get new PJs from our parents on Christmas Eve, which we bear to bed that night & while opening presents. But because we get up & go to mass, etc, I get dressed after breakfast & stay dressed for the day! Though the second I'm home I take off my heels or whatever, open my belt/zips/buttons & let comfort win.

Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

We open our parents' present on Christmas Eve, to get our jammies. Everything else is Christmas Day! One year, we were only allowed open one present a day, til we got bored when my mum was on the phone a few days later & just ripped into them.

Favourite Christmas smell?

Mmm this year I'm really looking forward to the smell of the fire! Haha & we always have candles burning when it's cold - I have two Yankee Candles in my bedroom at home, from Christmas last year so I'll have them lit in my room when I'm relaxing!

What is your favourite Christmas Song?

Fairytale of New York, without a doubt. Last year, in a Spoken German class, there were only three of us in, & the tutor decided because it was a famour Irish song, we had to sing it for her. I make a good Kirsty MacColl.. Especially when translating it to German. On the upside, I learned a few handy phrases. Like "She changes her boyfriends more than her underwear".

What is your Favourite Christmas Drink?

Mmm hot chocolate! Last year, I lived on hot chocolate from Costa, Insomnia & Starbucks. (All three of them are within spitting distance from my college, it would be a shame not to.) So far this winter, I've just been draining my supply of Lyon's tea.. The second I land, I'm headed for some real hot chocolate, with marshmallows & whipped cream.

Favourite Christmas Meal?

Christmas dinner! I used to be a seriously fussy eater, & my dinner consisted of mashed spuds, turkey & ham. I have expanded my horizons (& gotten chubbier) & now have mashed pottoes, croquettes, ham, turkey, stuffing, carrots, parsnips, & sure I might even have some gravy. I draw the line at sprouts though. Followed by a choice of Mint Viennetta or Romantica.. I'm still too fussy for Christmas cake & pudding.

Wrapping Presents-Love or Loathe?

LOVE! I'm actually raging that I can't start wrapping presents yet, coz they might get squashed in my suitcase. So the weekend I get home, I'm going to have Christmas tunes blaring while I get to work. I'm one of those freaks who goes in with the wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, tags & glitter.

Whats your favourite thing about Christmas?

Everyone being together. I didn't appreciate it as much every other year, because I saw my family constantly anyway - Even though I'd moved out, I was home every weekend. Now that it's been what feels like forever since I saw them, I don't care what we do at Christmas, I just want to spend time with everyone I love.

Christmas Tree Real or Fake?

We've always had a fake one.. I don't think I know anyone with a real one! I actually think fake ones look nicer (hello bushy trees), but we have to have one because my mum is allergic to real ones. Or else she's the Grinch in disguise, not sure.

Handmade Cards or Shop Bought ones?

Shop bought.. I don't have the patience for making them. & yes,by shop bought, I mean 3 for €2 in the pound shop. Every little helps at Christmas! I do write really nice messages in them though.

What do you do on Christmas Eve?

Christmas Eve used to be my dad panicking about presents & going to town last minute, I'd go & convince him to buy me sweets & a magazine. Then I started singing in the cathedral, so Christmas Eve I'd be in there for Midnight Mass. Since my dad now has me to organise him, it's usually spent just hanging about with my sisters, or helping my mum. This year, my boyfriend will only be home that day, so I'll probably visit him, but get home in time to open my PJs & go to bed!

Snow, Love it or Hate it?

Undecided - I like it at first, when it's nice & white & you can make snowballs & play. Then it turns to slush & you start slipping, or can't go anywhere, so it's less fun! Plus, apparently when it snows in Germany, it ends up at your thighs so I think I'm going to hate it this year...

12/06/2013

To follow on from the dark nail polish I've adopted for winter, here's a dark lipstick. I've found a few budget brands over here with decent products, & this is one of my favourites! P2 is a German budget brand, aimed at teenagers & is seriously affordable. I haven't tried much yet, but I will!

I was out one night & admiring my friend's lipstick from afar. A few vodkas later, I asked her what it was, convinced she'd say it was MAC Rebel. But nope, she pulled the small silver tube out of her bag & told me it was a lipstick she'd picked up that day for about €2. The next day, I wasn't too hungover not to go sprinting into town to find it.

It looks unbelievably scary in the tube.. But it's more nicer than first impression.

The Matte Deluxe Lipstick comes in 6 shades, one of which is I Adore You - A deep purple-pink shade. I always think it can be hard to find a decent matte lipstick, especially on a budget. So many of them just dry out your lips & settle into every line that you need ten different lip balms before applying them, which ruins the matte effect. But I Adore You is matte, without being drying. It does tend to apply a little bit unevenly though, so you have to pay attention on application.

I don't actually own MAC Rebel, but I imagine this to be close to it. On the night in question, my friend told me the lipstick I was wearing was identical (Kate Moss 107), but I Adore You is much more pink toned! It is quite similar in finish to the Rimmel Matte lipsticks though, & like 107, it is perfect for cold winter days.

I Adore You cost €2.95 in DM, a German pharmacy.

Also - Does it bother you seeing things that aren't available in Ireland? If I do a give-away of German products, would this interest you?

12/04/2013

Normally, I love neon nail polishes. But after finding that Essie nail polishes were €2 cheaper here, I decided to pick up a shade outside my comfort zone. Since it's cold (hello below freezing temperatures), I thought a dark, traditional winter colour would be good.. So I saw Dive Bar at the top of the stand & picked it up.

I like the packaging too - Squared bottles makes them easier to store.. Just saying.

Dive Bar is a deep, shimmery green, that flashes navy under different lights. It reminds me of a marble fireplace... Is that weird? Anyway, we used to have a dark green marble fireplace, with black flecks, & this reminds me of it. It's absolutely gorgeous - I'm a sucker for colours that change in different light. If you have After School Boy Blazer (which I picked up after realising how much I like dark polishes), it's like a teal version of that.

I found it hard to truly get the colour on camera, but the contrast between the index finger & darker little finger indicate how it changes, a little bit at least.

I really do think Essie polishes are worth the price - I find them to last well, which is important for me because my nails are in absolute bits. While they look pretty & chip-free, I'll admire them & look after them. The second a chip appears, I start picking away at my nails, until they're damaged again. Boo. But this lasted almost a week, with only a bit of tip-wear, minus any top coat.

Essie polishes are €9.99 (€7.99 for me!) & are available in Boots & Sam McCauleys. I've picked up a couple & am consistently impressed with the quality, so they may cost a bit more but I love the colours & am willing to fork out extra if it helps my nails in the long run!